" The Girl who stole an Elephant" by Nizrana Farook

 " The Girl who stole an Elephant" by Nizrana Farook

Originally Published in 2020

Summary: The Girl Who Stole an Elephant follows the story of Chaya and her friends Neel and Nour in a past rendition of South Asia/India. This story feels like a Indian version of Robin hood where Chaya is the one who steals from the rich to give to the poor. In a regular event of stealing from the palace. Chaya happens to steal something far to valuable that ends up getting her friend Neel in trouble. In order to save her friend Chaya must make some tough decisions around morality and what it means to create a better world for the people around her. Without too many spoilers each chapter leaves the reader on the edge of their seat wondering how Chaya will escape the trouble she has gotten herself into this time. 

This would be a great read for any child in middle elementary school to middle high school. Academically it should be readable by most 5th graders but can easily be followed along with through the audiobook (the version I chose)  

Teaching Considerations: (Spoilers included) 

The primary considerations to using this novel in the classroom is teaching Plot. This story does a wonderful job of building excitement, anticipation and sometimes fear in each chapter of the book. It can sometimes feel like you don't know exactly when the climax of the book is supposed to be because each chapter leaves the reader feeling that the next 'big thing' is coming. For example in Chapter 6 we see that the jewels that Chaya had stolen in the first place, are safely recovered. However, the chapter ends when guards come into the shop where Neel works and discover the gems. The guards take him away and Chaya has to figure out what to do. Each major transition within the book feels like it's own plot map where there is rising action, climaxes, and falling action. Looking at these places would be great for students to see how certain events, characters, etc. affect the overall story. 

The first close reading(listening) I would have students look at is the afformentioned event from chapter 5. students can see that Chaya participates in losing the jewel, making her way to Nour's house to retrieve it, recovering the jewel and then all hell breaks loose again when her friend Neel is taken away by the guards. An activity I imagine could be helpful for students is just to look at plot elements within this chapter alone. They could identify the beginning, rising and falling actions and ultimately the climax that happens at the end of the chapter. Ideally this could be a place to look at authorial choices of leaving a cliffhanger at seemingly every chapter too. This one ends with Neel being taken away which ultimately leaves the reader wanting more. Students could reflect on their feelings to this and write about why it makes them want to continue on with the story. 

Another close read that would be good for students to look at is chapter 15. Chapter 15 is the actually climax for the novel and like chapter 6 feels like there are many pivitol moments even within the chapter itself. Teachers could consider having students look at the very last cliffhanger where (spoiler) chaya steals an elephant to help her and Neel escape. They could determine how the events before where chaya is nearly killed, gets hurt but makes it through to escape play a role in curating this story. They could examing how creating those events affects their reading and influences the whole story. 

This novel was a very very fun read. A female, young adult robin hood adventure that discovers what it means to create a better world and more about herself along the way. The audio book is wonderful and I imagine reading it would be just as fun. This would be a great mentor text to have students look at to creating their own fiction/ fantasy stories. They could learn plot elements and how to create compelling narratives through the deliberate placement of cliffhangers. 

If you like this book another book to look at/ Read is Rowan Hood: Outlaw girl of Sherwood Forest. It tells a similar story of a young girl who steals from the rich to give to the poor. It embodies strong young adult female characters that would inspire anybody.

"African Town" by Iren Latham and Charles Waters

 African Town By Irene Latham and Charles Waters

Originally Published in 2022

Summary: African Town tells the story of the last American Slave ship that brought Africans to America to be enslaved. It follows over 14 different perspectives of different people involved with the ship including the ship itself. It follows the lives of the africans lives from before they were taken, while they were traveling on the ship and ultimately when they were enslaved to when they bought land from their enslavers to begin creating a life for themselves in the USA. The story shares the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and overall perspectives of the people as they try to make sense of the lives they lead. 

This would be a great novel for any secondary education student. I particulary feel that 7th graders would be ready to read this novel and gain perspective of all the players involved in the enslavement of Africans in the middle 19th century USA. The major themes of racism and slavery could be challenging for some students but with proper care for themselves this could be a great read for any student. 

Teaching Considerations: 

This Novel would be great to look at to show student show to organize multiple perspectives inside a story. With over 14 different characters/narrators each telling their story each passage sheds light on the thoughts and actions of all the players involved with the last (illegal) capture and enslavement of africans in the United states to the then establishment of Africatown (now Plateu, Alabama). The novel travels effortlessly between both 1st and 3rd points of view which for students will be important to recognize and understand so they can keep track of the plot, narratives and perspectives of characters within the novel. 

One of the close read passages I would recommend to have students look at is Clotilda Conundrum. Told from the perspective of the ship the enslaved africans are brought on, it gives a unique point of view. The ship not only would be a great example of personification, but makes for a great case for people to see how some 3rd person points of view can be omiscient even while inanimate. In the chapter it reads "Foster and Meaher are both smart, driven men-- one an immigrant, the other a son of an immigrant--... what good they could do if they weren't so arrogant, so bent on profit and breaking the law." (p. 84-85) These few sentences allow the reader to see through the eyes of the ship. To put an objective viewpoint that can still determine the morality of the situation that the ship has become part of. 

Good novel to look at dialect. Even on the first couple pages you can see great examples. " Someday maybe you will see de world de way I have seen it in Bante. Then you will know how de sun kisses de earth, melts like honey, over de land--" p.22 The use of de gives an auditory sound to the words on the page. Just from this small dialect presentation in the novel we can get a better understanding of where the person is coming from. This small detail is important to look at because how the words appear on the page directly influences the readers perspective and clues the reader in on who and what ethnicity the person speaking is. 

This was a very interesting and fun novel. The unique perspectives, alternating viewpoints, and overall deeply moving story, make for a read that would have any person asking for more. The novel sheds light on the situations of the enslaved africans in such a way that humanizes the people behind the enslavement. Each person has their own story to tell and ultimately is able to drive their own story after the end of the civil war. 

A novel that people might like if they like this novel is "Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?" This Novel like African Town, is told from multiple perspectives about two young friends Aurora and Frenchie. Frenchie is neurodivergent non verbal boy with autism who finds frienship with Aurora. The was the story shifts viewpoints feels very similar to this novel. Though the themes are different the constant shifting of perspective really allows the reader to get a clear and wholistic picture of the story. Like this novel, definitely worth the read. 

"Brooms" by Jasmine Walls & Teo Duvall Illustrated by Bex Glendining & Ariana Maher

 "Brooms" by Jasmine Walls & Teo Duvall Illustrated by Bex Glendining & Ariana Maher

Originally Published in 2023

Summary: Brooms is a graphic novel that tells a story of perserverance, love, and acceptance in a fantastically magical way. This story takes place in an alternate reality version of the early to mid 1900's U.S. but unlike our world this world is full of magic. Based loosely in historical U.S. This story follows young women with magic Luella, Billie Mae, Emma, Hattie and their families. As a child, Luella was taken from her family by governments authorities who seek to get rid of all magic. Luella was one such victim. Flash forward, Luella’s younger half-sisters, Mattie and Emma, are getting more adept at using magic, and the whole family is worried about the two girls being taken away by the governemnt. There is hope for these two girls though however. Like many solutions to problems the girls can be saved by buying exception licenses/tickets in order to secure their freedom. Both Emma and Hattie turn to broom racing to find the money to help their family and keep the government away. They meet Billie Mae and her team and begin a unique adventure to winning a highly competitive broom racing tournament to not only secure their freedom but to help their family and grow as people along the way. 

This is a very magically real book and any young adult could enjoy this book. It explores LGBTQ+ Love in a very safe and fun way. It could be a great book to introduce children to identity, sexuality etc. There is some language that might be challenging for younger readers but any reader 6th grade and up would be able to read through it. 

Teaching Considerations:

This Graphic novel does many things very well. The first thing that it does well is present the intersectionality of identity through the characters in the book very well. You can look at any character in this novel and see just how deep the characters are. For instance on page 

p. 95-99, p. 80-82. Loretta Identifies as a girl but is biologically a boy. They are discovered to be a boy dressing as a girl that fears what will happen if their parents find out. The novel does justice to how to treat LGBTQ+ community as well. Walls depicts Emma and Hattie to show how to treat somebody. They feared only outing their broom riding group in public vs. any sort of backlash because Loretta identified differently. The novel shows that being LGBTQ+ is not your whole identity but a part of it. This is just one of many passages I would encourage teachers to look at for close reads. In this passage you can examine the characteristics of Lorretta, Emma and Hattie and can build great discussions of how authors go about characterizing people in their stories.

Another close read passage that I would recommend is any scene where authorities are searching Emma and Hatties home. In particular on P.110- 111. Authorities come to the home to search for magic users in an attempt to take them away. because Luella was born with magic they also want to punish the girls if they happened to be magic too. Brooms in conjunction with the authors gives a sinister look to the government officials as they question the family and search the house. This passage would be great to have students think about very real issues that people face today of discrimination just for being who they are. This book explores discrimination on magical lines but the parallel to racism, sexism, etc. in our own world is uncanny in these pages. Thematically the problems we face still exist whether we live in a world of magic or not. It is what we do to solve those issues that counts. 

Another title that people who enjoyed this book might consider is The 99 boyfriends of micah summers. Much like this novel, it explores LGBTQ+ themes and 'normalizes' the aspects of LGBTQ+ relationships.

"Audacity" by Melanie Crowder

 "Audacity" by Melanie Crowder

Originally Published in 2016

Summary: Audacity follows the story of Clara Lemlich, a young Ukranian/russian decent jewish girl who works in the garment industry. The story is mostly based on historical events writings of Clara herself piece together in the form of a novel in verse. The story explores the challenges Clara faced at home and in her workplace where conditions got to a point where the workers were suffering terribly. From carrying their own sewing machines to long hours and low pay, these women in the garment industry worked desperately to fight for treatment that was afforded men of the time. Crowder tells the story in a beautiful way showcasing the fears, ambitions, and downright audacity that Clara Lemlich ends up displaying in the culmination of the Uprising of the 20000. 

This is a book that would be appropriate for any student from 7th- 12th grade. Crowder has a way of writing that utilizes literary techniques but doesn't stray too far from the sentiments and emotions that Clara had or likely experienced herself. The novel touches on some themes of abuse both physical and mental that students who have experienced abuse like this in the past. 

Teaching Considerations: 

Close read passages: The First close read passage is at the end of the book. Though I wouldn't start with this passage if I were to teach the book, but it is immensely powerful not to share. Crowder writes in a style that has this immense buildup of emotions that culminates in a very powerful last couple of words. Crowder writes "I have no further patience for talk as I am one of those who suffers from the abuses described here. I move that we go on a general strike... now." (p. 619 digital) These few lines along with the visceral descriptions of movement from Clara's perspective. All the emotions, pain, and suffering that Clara and her fellow employees felt in the years before turns to excitement for fighting for whats right. 

Another close read passage worth looking at is the section named 25. It is another passage where you can feel the emotions the women felt at the creation of their own local union. " We pushed demanded insisted and the male leadership at the union finally, finally gave in" In this scene again we see the side of Clara that continues to fight for what is right for her family and the people around her. 

Something that teachers could look at with this book is the stanza style and organization. Crowder uses lots of line breaks, enjambment, imagery, etc. These literary devices enhance how we see Clara and empower her and her ability to advocate for herself, family and co workers. 

When thinking about this book another great title to consider would be Girl waits with gun by Amy Stewart. Similar to this novel, it follows the story of one of the nations first female detectives. 

Overall this was a very fun read. It was poetic, beautiful and really shows what it means to fight for equality. 

"War Reporter Muhammad Najem" By Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus. Illustrated by Julie Robine

"War Reporter Muhammad Najem" By Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus. Illustrated by Julie Robine

Originally Published in 2022

Summary: This is a graphic novel that explores the conflict in Syria from 2011 to the present day. This book is told from the perspective of young Muhammad Najem who reports the happenings in his city from 2011-2019. Muhammed is a muslim boy with many brothers and sisters from eastern Ghouta. (Goo Ta) A province outside of Damascus syria.He does not share the traditional appearance to what we think is muslim. He has blonde hair blue eyes and fair skin. However, he is a devout muslim. He uses videos, social media, and journalistic testimonies to spread information about what is happening to civilians in his country. Muhammed explores what it means to fight for the truth. How love of family and friends transcends all. And how social media, videos, journalism can impact the world around us

While it explores these themes in great detail, this is a very challenging novel. It depicts violence, war, and genocide in its rawest form. It depicts innocent people dying, being bombed etc. for seemingly no good reason. I urge you to tread carefully while reading this book and to take care of yourself while you read it.

This book would be appropriate for 9th graders and beyond. Honestly it could be read for any audience but some of the themes may affect younger readers.

Teaching Considerations:

This book would be a great mentor text to review not only graphic novels style but journalist style of writing as well. There is no fancy language throughout this novel, only the facts of Muhammad and his family's situation. It uses images, social media, and journalistic reporting to showcase how Muhammad went about reporting the happenings inside his city.Where this novel really shines is in the themes it shares with the viewer as well as the combination of the captions and art.

Thematically it shows the impact of war and how it affects the civilians trapped between conflicting parties. Muhammad shows throughout the novel various events that show how devastating war can be. From some of his friends dying to fearing for their lives whenever a plane passes overhead the book captures in great detail how syrian people from Eastern Ghouta lived. However, it is not all misery. It also explores themes of deep love and commitment to family. How doing the right thing is necessary as well as helping others even at the expense of your own well being. This novel dives deep into what being human really is especially in times of severe discomfort. A couple of close passages to read with students are on page 117-118 and on page page 231. Pages 117- 118 show a powerful image of Najem and his family while explaining the the scale and impact of their situation. It shows how 350000 people were trapped in the city as the bombings occurred. It uses a large scale picture to capture the scope of the events muhammed and the syrian people were experiencing. On page 231 it explores the story of a young girl who lost her leg. In the events of war she feels no hope for ever getting a prosthetic leg. Muhammed shows how through the power of social media she can show others and potentially get her help. These passages show through images how powerful the concepts are. 

Another thing to look at with this novel is the use of imagery and symbolism. One of the most powerful images in the book is on page 76. It depicts several large dogs fighting with one another. Each of the dogs is wearing a collar with a countries flag on it depicting russia, United states, United Nations, and ISIS and Iran. The dogs fighting represents the various countries involvement in the syrian conflict. All fighting but not helping. The novel is riddled with imagery like this that would be worthwhile exploring inside of a classroom. 

Overall this was a very interesting read. It shows from the perspective of the people of a conflict that was semi overlooked in the news and sheds light on the people that suffered the most in this Syrian Civil War. 

People that liked this book would also like When Stars are scattered by Victoria Jamieson. It explores the life of refugee children living in a refugee camp. These stories told from the perspective of children would really resonate with youth alike.